Sicily (1534) 2 tari
This specimen was lot 1242 in Goldberg's NY International sale 58 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italian States: Sicily. Carlo I di Spagna (Carlo V, Sacro Romano Impero, 1516-1554). Silver 2 Tari, undated. Messina mint; Bartolomeo Lo Nobile, mintmaster. Struck circa 1534. Crowned and draped bust left. Rev. Crowned eagle, wings spread, head right, initials B N across fields. Toned, Rare. Extremely Fine." The kingdom of Sicily had long been ruled together with the kingdom of Naples but was divided by the Sicilian Vespers of 1282, in which Charles of Anjou was ejected from Sicily by Peter of Aragon but retained Naples. Aragonese rule passed into Spanish rule under the Catholic kings and thence to Charles V, king of Spain and Holy Roman emperor. Charles spent much time in Italy, where his soldiers sacked Rome in 1527, but we don't think he ever visited Sicily.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 6.16 g.
Catalog reference: Spahr 13.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Stephen Harvey and Vera Kan, Goldberg NY International 2023 Sale, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2022.
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